Japanese woman's body found in home of ex-boyfriend after she repeatedly reported him to police for stalking

Asahi Okazaki, 20, had been missing since December 2024 following repeated complaints of being stalked by an ex-boyfriend.

During voluntary questioning around this period, her ex-boyfriend, Shirai Hideyuki, 27, had reportedly denied involvement in Okazaki's disappearance.

On May 1, a bag containing human remains was discovered inside his house when police conducted a search on the suspicion that the man had violated an "anti-stalker" law.

The bag was found under the floorboards of the house.

According to Japan Times, an autopsy found that the body showed signs of being burned, and that over a month had passed since the victim's death, although the cause of death was not established.

The incident has shocked Japan, with many criticising police actions and inaction.

Reported ex to police for stalking

According to Okazaki's father, his daughter had repeatedly reported Shirai to the police after the stalking incidents had escalated.

The family told Japanese media Mainichi that the police had not done anything about it.

Okazaki had also apparently texted her mother the day before she went missing.

In the message she said, "I might get killed".

According to NHK, the police said they took appropriate measures when the woman approached them, but will study whether their response was appropriate.

Okazaki's father insisted that the police was lying and that he would never forgive them.

Image from Jiji, Tonboriday, and JapanTimes